“I brought you something,” I say, bringing my hand out from behind my back and presenting her with the book I picked up on my way here.

“Harry Potter!” she yells, jumping up and down and clapping. “Can we watch the movies too?”

“Absolutely,” I say as I put my arm around her and we go to sit on her bed. “How are you today?”

She beams at me. It’s a little funny that the two people I care about most are the happiest. You’d think that would rub off on me, but I think I’m immune to it by now.

“I’m good. Callie braided my hair,” she says, turning her head and showing me the elaborate French braid that twists into a knot on the back of her head.

“I see that. It looks very pretty.” I touch her hair and am stabbed by the memory of our mother doing the same thing.

“I wish I could show Momma. I miss her,” she says, turning back around and pouting.

“I know, I know. I miss her too.” Lizzy holds her arms out and gathers me in a hug.

“You okay, Brother?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” She shushes me and strokes the back of my head.

“It’s okay,” she says, as if she’s comforting me. “Everything will be okay.”

I hold onto my sister, my only flesh and blood left in this world. I haven’t cried in four years, but I feel like I want to now. Not enough to actually do it, but the thickness at the back of my throat and the itch in my eyes could turn into tears.

After a few breaths, the feeling is gone and I’m back to normal. I let go of Lizzy, but then she grabs my face in both hands and searches my eyes. Sometimes she does this. Lizzy can be disturbingly perceptive sometimes.

“Why are you happy and sad?” I’m not quite sure what she sees in my eyes, but I’m definitely not happy. I haven’t been happy… I don’t remember the last time I was happy.

An image of Saige writhing beneath me as she climaxes dances through my mind, but I shove it aside.

“I’m happy because I’m with you and I’m sad because I can’t stay longer,” I say, but Lizzy continues to stroke my cheeks with her fingers.

“I love you more than anything. You know that, right?” She nods slowly and lets go of my face.

“I’ll eat you up I love you so,” she quotes from “Where the Wild Things Are”. Our mother used to chase us around the house and pretend to eat our hands or toes when we refused to go to bed.

“I’ll eat you up I love you so,” I say, tipping my head forward and she moves her face forward until we’re touching.

She beams and then grabs the book.

“Read to me?”

“Of course,” I say.

But before I can even open the book, a text comes through the burner phone. Shit. I ditched my follower today (Hardy) and that’s him asking where the fuck I am. This stalker is really messing with my life and I need it to stop.

“I’m going to go answer the phone. You start and I’ll come and catch up,” I say as I head for her bathroom. She nods and starts paging through the book. I’m fortunate that Lizzy never asks many questions.

I pick up the call and wait for him to stop cursing at me. He’s the more reserved one of the twins, but you never want to piss him off because he’ll let you have it. And I’m facing his wrath

“Look, I had some things to take care of, so I bailed, okay? It’s a pain in my fucking ass to be followed around. You’ve gotta cut me some slack.” I keep my voice low but urgent. My speech is met by an icy silence.

“You can’t fucking do that, Sylas. And you know it. All of us have rearranged our lives to keep you safe and you’re acting like we’re inconveniencing you. Get your head out of your ass.” He’s reined in his anger, but I’m still going to get it. Fine. Lizzy is worth it. They could waterboard me and I’d never tell them where I went today. Never. Lizzy is off-limits.

“Fine. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“You know we can track you. All I have to do is get Cash.” I know that. I should have ditched my phone before I came here, but I didn’t really have a whole lot of choice.

“It won’t happen again. I’ll take the heat for it, but I’m not sorry. This is something I need to do. Just like Baz and his money. No questions. Got it?” I’m starting to get pissed and if I’m not careful, I’m going to bust this phone.

Hardy takes a few deep breaths.

“Fuck. You.”

“Right back at you.”

There’s another beat of silence and then he sighs.

“Fine. I’ll let you go this once. I won’t pull the trigger and tell anyone. But you owe me.” I nearly slump over in relief. He’s got my back.

“Listen, I have to go. But please. Just… do this for me. I won’t ask for it again.”

“You’d better not. And I’m going to remember every single word of this conversation.” Hardy remembers pretty much everything he reads, sees or hears. It’s a bitch having an argument with him because he is almost always right. Scratch that. He’s always right. You can bet your money on it.

“I know. I really appreciate it.”

“Uh-huh.” And he hangs up.

I breathe for a minute and then slide the phone back into my pocket before walking back out. Lizzy has the book open on her lap and is slowly mouthing the words. She doesn’t look up, not even when I sit next to her again.

“How’s it coming?” I ask.

“What’s this word?” she points to something that looks like some bastardized form of Latin. I sound it out for her and she scrunches up her face.

“Why don’t we start back at the beginning?” I suggest and she flips back several pages. I pick up the book and start reading aloud. Lizzy turns on her side and gazes up at me as I read to her. I can’t remember the last time I did this with Lizzy. I need to come out here more often. At least once a week. But right now it’s not safe. Not with my stalker on the loose.

I shove those unhappy thoughts aside and focus back on the book. It’s funny, actually, and I find myself enjoying the story along with Lizzy. We get through several chapters and then it’s time for me to go.

“I’m sorry I have to go so early.” Not only do I have to get back to check in with Hardy, but I’m going out with Saige and her friends tonight, which should be interesting. I’m actually looking forward to it. I really need to make a good impression on them so she will bring me back to her place and we end up naked together.

“It’s okay,” Lizzy says, putting her arms around me. “I love you anyway.” I laugh and hug her back.

“I’ll always love you. No matter what. And I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

“I know,” she says, her voice muffled by my shirt. “I’m okay. Can I keep the book?” I nod.

“Just don’t lose my place. We can continue when I come next time.” I don’t say next week. Because I don’t know if it’s safe to come every week. “You call me if you want, okay?” The nurses have my number for emergencies.

“Okay, Brother.” I give her a kiss on the forehead and then head out, leaving her with the boy wizard.

Nineteen

“Well look at you,” Saige says a few hours later as I open her door to pick her up. I’ve gone more casual tonight, but my jeans are still designer, my simple black long-sleeve pullover more expensive than a shirt should ever be. But I’ve got my favorite pair of boots on. They’re black and leather and make me feel more like Sylas than Quinn. It’s a risk wearing them, but I don’t care tonight. I’ve made sure to cover up my tattoos as well. I’m not willing to share that particular part of Quinn with Saige’s friends. With her it’s unavoidable.

“Right back at you,” I say. She’s casual herself, in skinny jeans, a loose gray top and a yellow scarf. Her hair’s curly and down and a set of sparkly diamonds dot her ears. Of course her lips are red.

“You ready for this?” she asks as she grabs her bag and locks the door.

“Ready as I’ll ever be. Who are we meeting up with again?” We head for the elevator as she ticks off the names.